I know this is late, but it’s better than never. This is all written much after the fact, but I’ll try to recall as much as I can.

On the 13th, we went to this really sweet waterfall about 5km from the farm. They call it Rapel, and if you are up at the top of the falls you can see some hooks for connecting your rapelling lines. It’s probably 100ft tall, and it’s amazing. You have to run down a really long hill to get there, and then go through some small trails, but you come out at this sweet little spot with a swimming hole and fun rocks to play on. The only problem was that the water was like 50 degrees. My feet actually burned while I walked across the river. Andrew, Eric, and Etienne actually went swimming, but I think they’re crazy. After we had enough down below, we all climbed up the hill to the top. That was a pretty strenuous climb. Probably an 80 degree incline, and when you’re a larger fellow that’s a tough job. But we made it and it was excellent.

Sunday was a better sunday for me. I could finally understand a good deal of the message. It was also Father’s Day, so there were some special numbers happening in the evening. Lunch was excellent, and a very good special dessert followed. It was a hardish vanilla pudding with whipped cream and M&Ms. I wanted more.

Monday was special because it was the last day there for three of us. We went to work at Lobo’s for a while, and then after lunch Jake and I made doughnuts for the kids. That was somewhat of an ordeal, but it was fun, and I think the kids liked it. It was as close to Krispy Kreme as I could get in Brazil.

Our dinner Monday was special also. Szylvia and Balint made chicken paprikas. All I know is my grandmother used to make it, and when I mentioned it to Szylvia earlier in the trip she got all excited and said we had to make it. So we invited Jake and Katie to eat with us, and for dessert we had palacinka.

Then at 7:30 we had family night with the whole family. Some of the kids sang songs, a couple did a skit, and they made us sing as well. It was a really nice time of fellowship and bonding before we had to leave, and I will not soon forget it.

Later that night, three of the older girls gave the three of us a green and yellow bracelet that they made. I probably won’t take it off for quite some time, because whenever I look at it I remember the wonderful time I had and the lessons I learned. I can’t wait to go back.

You can see my pictures here.

12 Aug 2005

I didn’t write yesterday because I was ubertired. We went to Turvo to check out the construction. Photos will follow. Turvo is about an hour away from CLM Entre Rios. The house is almost done and they expect to have kids in there around February. They still need missionaries. I wonder if God would like it if I were one…

Today was a good day. The weather was nice and I think we finished pouring at least the concrete base. I had a couple conversations with Lobo, and he told me when I come back he wants to speak to me in Portuguese. For the most part I don’t need any translators, but it definitely helps.

Tonight Balint made a barbecue for us. Tan bom! It was really tasty and there was tons of food. Mary, Edit, Katie, and Jake came as well. Good times were had.

Afterwards we had a bonfire. This thing was gigantic. We sang for a while and then I read from John 10:27-29 and talked about how special it is to be called of God. I encouraged everyone who hears God’s call to answer it and give their lives over to Him. I pray the message got through.

I wish I didn’t have loans to pay back, otherwise I might be tempted to sell my house and quit my job to work here.

10 Aug 2005

It seems like I dropped the ball on this journal thing for a couple days. So far this week we boys have been working on building an addition to Lobinho and Joanna’s house. We built trusses, put them on, put the roof on, and today started pouring concrete. It’s pretty hard work, and I decided I don’t want to be a builder. The good thing is we’re not doing it alone. A guy from church named Aocir (sp?) seems to be a builder and is doing most of the work. When we understand what he wants, we help. Lobinho’s daughter, Moana, who is probably around 2 or 3, is one of the cutest little kids I’ve ever seen. She runs around laughing all day long.

The food here has been good. The milk products take some getting used to because they come straight from the cow. I should know…I milked one of them bad boys. We only eat lunch with the family, and I like that part. I sit next to Donei and Romualdo. We usually have rice, frejas (beans), and something else. Today it was eggs and some leafy vegetable. Tan bom!

We also took the kids out for pizza tonight. The servers walk around to each table with something – lazagna, pizza, spaghetti – and slap it down if you want it. They keep coming until you leave, and it only costs about US$3 per person. It was good, but now I’m fat.

My Portuguese is picking up. The older kids are actually impressed that I can understand as much as I do. I still have trouble speaking it, but I manage, and the challenge is fun.

I’m really tired right now, and we have a big day planned so I think I’m taking off. Aufwiedersehen!

07 Agosto 2005

It’s been actually two full days since I wrote last. It’s Sunday night.

Yesterday was our day off. We were allowed to sleep as long as we wanted, and then we pretty much just played with the kids. I was very surprised at how quickly the small ones (maybe 10 and younger) attached themselves to us, and I mean that quite literally. I had been sorting the goodies, and when I went outside, Eric and David had meninhos crawling all over them. The first kids who seemed interested were Janete, Lucilene, Andreia, Elielton, Rita, and Valdiclea. We played tag, duck-duck-goose (pato-pato-ganzo), and all sorts of other stuff. They know we can’t speak Portuguese, but they tried to communicate anyway. We had fun, but they definitely wore us out.

My favorite part of the day was when some kids were seinging and I said something to one of them, in Portuguese. Luci said to me “You don’t speak Portuguese”, calling me out because she knows I don’t. Later we actually had a short conversation. I told her I didn’t understand enough and that I wanted to learn more. She told me to go buy a book and learn. Then we talked about who on the farm speaks English. She’s pretty helpful.

I think God is helping me to learn Portuguese, but my Spanish is definitely helpful. It’s not completely the same, and words aren’t slepped the same, but I can make out what’s being said sometimes. Also, if I don’t know a word, I will often alter the Spanish word to try to “portuguize” it in hopes that they understand, which they usually do. I think I’m learning stuff fairly quickly, but the biggest help is Spanish.

Today we had church. It’s definitely different. The morning is less formal, although today we had communion, and folks dress up more for the evening service. I like the evening because there is a lot of singing, many spiritual thoughts, special songs, and more praying than I’ve experienced in a service. Between services we ate lunch as a whole family, which was excellent. I also told Mary not to give me as much tomorrow. Then we hung out with the older kids, teenagers, playing a bunch of games. We played “Capture the Chanela (flip-flop)” for like 2 or 3 hours. I definitely haven’t run around this much before. Ever. Combined.

God is speaking to me so far, although I’m not sure exactly where we’re going. Church is different than what I’m used to. I didn’t understand the language, so I didn’t understand what was going on, so I felt uncomfortable with the difference. Not because they are bad, but because I couldn’t figure out what to do and my zone was gone.

I’m also learning about kids. It’s really neat to finally be able to put a personality with a name. Elielton is very loving; Lucilene is motherly; Andreia is interested in us and enjoys teaching us Portuguese; Rosenilda is very shy but very sweet; Rita is adorable (she called me fat byt said it really cute); Valdicleia is…Valdicleia. She enjoys fooling around, imitates whatever you say (very well too), and seems to be the most individual of the bunch, very independant. They all love us, though, and God used this to show me how His Spirit communicates His love. Even though they have been abused and neglected in the past and have no idea who we are or what we are like, they somehow automatically trust us and seem to feel completely comfortable around us. I am anxious to see how God keeps teaching me in this vein.

06 Aug 2005

Dia duas (I think that’s right). Our flight was ok but extremely long. I think I was doing fine until we started going around the airport. We decided to eat at Pizza Hut, and while they were really friendly here I felt out of my element. The pizza was excellent, and I think they put brie on everything.

The flight to Curitiba was short, and I don’t even remember the beginning because I had finally fallen asleep. When the flight attendant came by, I was glad to see some Guarana and managed my way through that. When we finally arrived, we got through customs in about 10 minutes. Cathy was astounded. Then we saw Edit and two of the kids, Paulo and Rita. We said hello, but the kids were pretty shy. The drive to the Farm was about a 6 hour trip. Towards the end, Paulo (who is three) kept tapping on my shoulder and saying stuff to me. I wish I could have understood him, or at least explain to him that I couldn’t.

I have been praying, though, for the gift of Portuguese. It would come in real handy. Especially when we got to the farm. The van pulled in, and kids just poured out of the house. One blonde girl said “hi,” and I said “Oi” (which is “hi” in Portuguese), and she said “Remember me?” I didn’t, but I was really glad to find someone who spoke English. Turns out we met at the last Midwest Retreat, and she’s from Tremont. Also, Alysha was here! I was so excited. But then I was sad when I found out she was leaving today. I got to holler at her from the window, and then they left.

I’m definitely out of my element. Comfort zone is nowhere to be found. I definitely have to pray for strength and comfort. I’m trying to absorb as much of the language as I can, and I’ve actually learned a lot for being in this country for less than 24 hours. Hopefully the kids will teach me more. Right now I have to go find the ladies for breakfast. Mais tarde.

I’ve been in Brazil for a week without updating my blog. I’ve been writing in a journal, so I will rewrite the entries here in various parts.

05 Aug 05 (roughly)
I am currently God knows how high above terra firma, over only He knows where (ok, the pilots probably know also, but they ain’t talkin’). I suspect we’re somewhere over the Atlantic around Central America. Boy does that feel odd to say. I’ve never been farther north than Toronto, Canada; no farther south than Orlando, FL; no farther west than Portland, OR; and no farther east than perhaps Long Island, NY. This is a brand new adventure for me, and one which I have no idea the outcome of.

Getting to this point was somewhat interesting. Cathy and I had a good flight to Chicago, and we met the Ohio kids on time. But then we noticed that Eric’s plane wasn’t supposed to arrive until 9:20. Our flight out was supposed to leave at 9:30. At 9:15 I called Eric, and his plane had just landed, but he was still sitting on it. To add insult to bad scheduling, none of the Ohio kids had seat assignments. While we waited for Eric, they were called one by one to the desk to get a seat. I remember Andrew coming back and saying “They’re waiting for more seats to open up.” Thankfully we all got seating arrangements as the Gatekeeper called out “You have 30 seconds left to board.” All of us, that is, except David. Oh, and still no sign of Eric. Those of us with seats were sent to the plane. We stowed our belongings and got to our seats. Still no David, still no Eric. Andrew and I switched seats – twice – and we remained two men short. Finally, after being on board for at least five minutes, David came strolling in. A few minutes later Eric surprised us, and we were all finally united. And there was much rejoicing (yaaaay!).

Today also marks the blessed event of Melanie’s birth, or as they say in Spanish “El birtho de Melania” (I know, I know…nacimiento). Unbeknownst to her, as many aboard this Boeing 767 as would care to will be singing happy birthday to her after breakfast. You gotta love fun flight attendants.

And finally…finalmente…what on earth have I gotten myself into? I used to be the guy who always said what I was going to do but never actually did it. Maybe I was afraid of the commitment involved, maybe I couldn’t handle it, whatever. It’s been three years since I first expressed the desire to go to CLM, but now that I’m actually doing it I find a small sense of panic. I really don’t know why; it’s quite literally a dream come true. It’s that part of me that shies away from commitment, or maybe it’s just laziness. Who knows? I do know that it’s about time! I’m glad I’m here, and I eagerly await the spiritual education I will receive.

Jayzilla out! (for now)